COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATION WORRIES GOVT
By Effie Mphande
Health Minister SYLVIA MASEBO says the government is concerned with the number of Covid-19 patients requiring hospitalization.
Ms MASEBO says currently there is an average of fifteen percent of patients in critical condition in the country’s isolation centers.
She says a number of them are at risk of dying even after administering new therapies.
The Minister was speaking during her Covid-19 update in Mansa, Luapula Province.
She said the country has recorded six deaths and that of three are Covid deaths and the other are associated.
The Minister said the country has recorded six hundred and sixteen cases of Covid-19 out of four thousand four hundred and thirty-six tests conducted.
Ms MASEBO said although the country has seen a reduction in the number of Covid – 19 cases, there should be NO complacency in adhering to public health measures.
The Minister also said HIV and AIDS remain a public health threat and that Covid-19 has worsened the outcomes.
She said a review of clinical data on Covid-19 hospitalized patients shows that significant proportions are also infected with HIV.
Ms MASEBO said among the one thousand nine hundred and ninety Covid patients who have been admitted during the fourth wave, ten percent are infected with HIV.
She said only four point five percent of the total number of people admitted to Covid-19 isolation facilities have been vaccinated against the Corona virus Disease.
The Minister said she is saddened that despite having highly effective Antiretroviral drugs the country still sees individuals who are severely sick of AIDS.
